MODERN MOTORING

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 14

MODERN MOTORING

*y SPARKWBLL

LIGHTING-UP TIMES. To-day 5.22 p.m. Wednesday 5-21 pjn. Thursday 5.21 p.m, Friday 5.20 p.m. Saturday s.ig p.m. Sunday 5.18 p.m, Monday 5.18 p.m.

MAIN HIGHWAYS BQARD IN CONFERENCE.

The Main Highways Board will meet in conference in the South on May 18th. This conference will be one of' the most important gatherings held in the South Island. The board has called the conference at the behest of the motoring organisations, and delegates will attend from interested organisatons in all parts of the island.

Some illuminating facts concerning the board's policy and its finances«are expected to be made known for the l>enefit of all concerned.

BRITISH SPEED LIMITS. Contrary to an opinion that has become prevalent, the speed limit at Home is still iri existence; it is illegal to do more than 20 miles per hour on any road in the British Isles. limits are in force in certain localities, these sections of road being marked at each end by a post bearing an annalar plate marked with the speed limit imposed. Driving to the common danger is an offence quite distinct from exceeding the limit. MOTOR CYCLE WORKS DESTROYED. A great part of the Douglas Motor Works at Kingswood, Bristol, were destroyed by fire on March 25. The damage is estimated at £100,000, and nearly lftOO men were thrown idle at a time when there was a boom in the motor cycle industry. Although over 400 motor bicycles were destroyed, the works were reorganised and again producing to full capacity a fortnight after the file.

THE ATJCKfAND MOTORVJLYMPIA. The Auckland Motor Olympia will be held in the Central wnarf sheds, commencing on Saturday, July 9, and will continue until the following Saturday. The Auckland • Motor Trades' Association, which' promotes the- show, have already made' preliminary-arrangements and set up the various committees. Four sheds on the Central wharf will be used, also the space between the two rows of sheds. This will ensure all exhibits being on the ground floor, instead of upper and lower, as in the past two shows. Already considerable interest is being taken in the show, and the exhibits will include the very latest British, American and Continental models, some of which will make their first appearance in New Zealand at this Oh'inpifi. Mr. F. G. Farrcll, president of the Motor Trades' Association, is chairman of committee, and Mr. Theo. J. Spry hon. secretary. The following committees have" been set up: — General Executive: Messrs. F. G. Farrell, G. W. Spragg, G. M. White, W. S. Miller, H. Grau, F. F. Lain?, S. L Weller. Management and Finance: Messrs. White, Sprag.2, Farrell.and Miller. Floor and Decoration": Messrs. Sprayer Miller, Grau, Weller and Laing. e °' Entertainment and Reception: Messrs. Hoyes, Farrcll, White, Seabrook and Weller. Publicity: Messrs. White, Spra™. and Miller. ~

NOTES ANQ COMMENTS

LOCAL ANP GENERAL

THROUGH HOLLAND BY MOTOR CAR

(By H. BUTCHER.)

A WEEK-END RUN.

Mr. H. Butcher, of Auckland, continues* hia notes on his Continental trip. He says:—After leaving ' the German Customs we crossed the frontier into Holland and for the first time we met a very inquisitive customs official, who insisted on looking through our baggage and would see our passports, and generally gave us more trouble than all thfc--14 other custom officials who have signed our "Carnot." However, eventually we were let pass without being penalized. Commencing our drive in the land of dykes and canals we had hardly got comfortable in top gear when we saw a sign 'Stop, 20 cents toll.' Away once again we had about 30 miles of road like a billiard table and then another 20 cents toll and about three miles after that yet another 20 cents, so then we eat up and wondered where we had got to, however, from here to our destination for the day, Groningen, we were let free. When we were installed in. our hotel I made enquiries about the tolls and was informed that the various councils leased out certain stretches of road on yearly contracts and that the toll gatherers took the chance of making a profit.

After leaving Groningen we were struck by the still perfect smoothness of the paved road and for about 50 miles the road follows one of the main canals, it being very interesting to see the barges, some being towed by women, some by men, some by horses, others have sails and a few have oil engines. At Meppel, for the first time on the whole of our tour we saw the inhabitants in native dress and their only means of conveyance seem to be dog carts, their dogs certainly seem to be very willing workers.

Fortune had favoured us until to-day with our tyres. Since the first week of July, 1926, we have toured 20,000 I kilometres in eight different countries Land we had our first puncture on the road on March 18. While still following the road round the Zuder Zee we were not very far from the late Kaiser's residence at Doom and shortly after we arrived at the city of diamond cutting, Amsterdam. From Amsterdam through The Hague to Rotterdam, about 70 miles, is a very uninteresting road with no open country. After spending two days in Rotterdam we left for Brussels. Shortly after passing Dordrecht we passed acres and acres of bulbs just breaking into bloom. We crossed the frontier into Belgium much easier than we did into Holland. There is not much touring done in Holland by British cars. All ,the cars in the country are either French or American and benzine is equal to 1/6 a gallon. The Belgium roads seemed very rough after what we had been driving over for some weeks and we were glad to* arrive back at Ostend where we had made arrangements to ship our car back to England, after an absence of seven months. . Landing at Doxpr after a very rough passage we found an A.A. official waiting to receive u# and pass our car through the customs and, as our license for the car had run out during our absence we were given an AA. pass entitling us to drive on the road unlicensed until we arrived at Maidstone, the nearest registration ' district. Arriving back in London, the first thing that attracted our notice was that | non-combine benzine was down to lOd per gallon, the cheapest it has ever been in England, Shell No. 1, 1/1 per gallon, and they say it is going' down lower yet. Our next trip will be across the U.S.A. by road.

A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. In our report of the Automobile Association's monthly meeting last Thursday, Mr. Arthur Cummings . was credited with having written to the association calling their attention to the danger of. the intersection of Balmoral and Edendale roads. Mr. Cummings writes to say that it was the junction of Kosebank and Great North Roads at Avondale to which he referred as daneerous.

Each fine week-end the same question comes, "Where can we,go?" . After a fine spell, a run to Helensville, and the Parakai Springs on Saturday' afternoon and home next day. by way of Kaukapa-' kapa and Waiwera is a very pleasant trip, the distance being 85 miles. If chains are parried, the stretches of clay need not'trouble one. Leaving the city shortly after noon >on Saturday gives ample time to reach Helensville and Parakai, where ample accommodation is to be had, except • perhaps during holiday time. After.going out on the concrete almost* to its end, you turn Off to the left, but keep on the North Road. It is rough after concrete, but not so bad, and very fair time can be made except when climbing the Waitakere Hill. The road passes through Swanson, Waitakere, Taupaki, Kumeu, and Huapai, an important fruitgrowing centre. Waimauku, 20 miles from Auckland, has a large butter factory, and is the starting-point for trips to Mu'riwai and Motutara, on the West Coast. At Waimauku turn sharp to left and then take turn to right (sign post). Helensville is about 11 miles north of Waimauku. The chief interest of Helensville lies in the Parakai Hot Springs. To reach Parakai you turn sharp to the left just before reaching Helensville. The springs are about a mile along a good road. These springs have great medicinal value, and they are under the control of a Domain Board, which has erected a number of private baths and two large swimming baths, similar to those in use at Te Aroha and Rotorua. There are several excellent boardinghouses, with first-class accommodation, just outside the Domain. Next day the trip can b'e continued northwards, if fine weather prevails, to Kaukapakapa, where you turn east to reach Waiwera. The country is very green and pleasant. Clay roads now prevail, with stretches 'of metal, but they have been fairly good until this week-end. Nearing Waiwera the road runs along a stream and through a gorge with some fine bush. Waiwera is situated in a big bay facing Tiritiri, and is well known for its hot springs. The 28 miles, back to'the city is quite passable in .fine weather, but becomes a quagmire after a few hours' steady rain. The first part of the run is through fruit and dairy land. After passing Silverdale it is rather barren gum land, but some very pretty views of the gulf are to be had. The journey can be reversed if desired, Waiwera being a good place to stay over-night. SKIDDING. An expert driver can usually keep his car under control at all times. However, if asked to explain how he gets out of a skid, it would be hard to describe the manipulation to another. The following explanation might make this point clear. The rear of the car usually skids first, affecting the steering, so that the front wheels are uncontrollable. Do not put on the brakes, as this usually aggravates the skid. Ease up on the accelerator, but not entirely, and steer for the crown of the road, or centre. When you can recognise that the front wheels are controlled by retaining a slight pull, or car under power, it is easier to right the rear wheels into the centre of the road, and proceed. The habit or customary advice to turn the front wheels in the direction in which the car is skidding can only hold good where there is unlimited room.